Kevin Hertzog
Please consider supporting Kevin Hertzog.
On August 6th, 2018 Kevin was diagnosed with Merkel Cell cancer, a rare, aggressive disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the skin. Disease doesn’t discriminate. But it is especially difficult to comprehend when it attacks someone has spent their entire life supporting others. If you know Kevin then you know that he is a man of incredible character. He is generous of spirit, time, and resources. And he is one of the warmest and most hilarious people you will ever meet.
Kevin has committed himself - and his life - to a practice of radical empathy for others. He also has committed his life to community advocacy. He did this initially during the AIDS crisis with ACT UP from the 1980’s-1990’s. Throughout his life he has supported and mentored many friends and helped them get back on their feet. Kevin’s advocacy work continues to mature and has become more refined over the years; in 2016, days after the Pulse massacre, Kevin co-founded Gays Against Guns (GAG) a volunteer group fighting to save lives through better gun laws. His contribution to this inclusive, grassroots activist group has been integral to its success and has earned him the moniker of “Mother GAG”. Mother has fought for us, and now we are fighting for her.
Kevin is facing immediate surgery which will be followed by extensive cancer treatments. Kevin has been self-employed as a prop and set stylist for over 20 years. As a result of working under independent contracts, he has zero access to any short or long-term disability through an employer. This means that Kevin will have no income for the entire duration of his treatment and recovery. At least six months, if not more. And no income means no money to pay for his insurance, his rent, and all basic living expenses.
As a self-employed person, he carries the full cost of his health insurance on his own. Even with this insurance, he will be faced with with the significant additional costs of expensive treatments very much needed to defeat the cancer.
The Hertzog family and the GAG family are asking the community to come together to support Kevin through this difficult time. We very much appreciate your support. Thank you.
